Best pictures from Mbemba’s return from injury
![NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Chancel Mbemba of Newcastle United goes between Wahbi Khazri and Jermain Defoe of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 20, 2016 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Chancel Mbemba of Newcastle United goes between Wahbi Khazri and Jermain Defoe of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 20, 2016 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ed29c319845f5c1bd38db74d34e4841c5c7b6158e82027beeb738a83ffc164b7.jpg)
Newcastle drew with Sunderland 1-1 on Sunday, and Chancel Mbemba returned from injury.
He looked immediately at ease with his new defensive partner Janmaal Lascelles, and added a sense of calm to the back four.
Despite his return, the Magpies could not keep a clean sheet as Jermain Defore scored another goal in the derby – but Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbed a draw with a header in the final minutes of the match.
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After the game, the BBC reported that manager Rafa Benitez said: “The positive thing for me is we have eight games to play and the reaction today from the players was positive.
“To win would have been perfect but when you are losing in the first half and keep the same gap, it’s positive.
“The main thing was that the fans supported us today and we want that in every single game.”
Click through the slides below to see the best pictures from Mbemba’s recovery.
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